Abstract
Background: Across cancer populations, strength training (ST) has resulted in significant improvements in muscular strength and endurance, as well as quality of life (QoL). Despite the established benefits, few cancer survivors are meeting the recommended ST guidelines of ?2 days/week. Understanding factors that influence ST in cancer survivors is warranted. Purpose: To (1) determine the prevalence of ST in kidney cancer survivors (KCS), and (2) examine the demographic, medical, social-cognitive, and environmental correlates of meeting strength training guidelines Methods: 1,985 KCS, identified through the Alberta Cancer Registry, were mailed a cross-sectional survey assessing self-reported ST behaviour and demographic, medical, social-cognitive and environmental variables. Objective built environment constructs (e.g., median household income, population density) were assessed using geographic information systems. Variables with a p-value of <.10 in the univariate analysis were included in the multivariate model. A multivariate logistic regression was used to predict the probability of meeting ST guidelines. Results: Of the 432 surveys with complete data (Mage=64.4±11.1 years, 63.2% male) only 22.9% of KCS were meeting the recommended weekly dose of ST. In the final multivariate model, meeting the ST guidelines was significantly associated with having a healthy weight (OR=0.37, 95% CI=0.20-0.68, p=.002), greater months since diagnosis (OR=1.84, 95% CI=1.03-3.28, p=.040), higher levels of intention (OR=1.75, 95% CI=1.24-2.48, p=.001), and availability of several free/low cost recreation facilities (OR=1.54, 95% CI=1.00-2.36, p=.049). Conclusion: Less than a quarter of KCS are meeting the ST guidelines. Targeting social-cognitive variables, particularly around intention formation, may be useful in promoting ST behaviour in KCS.Acknowledgments: Co-authors: Dominick A. Strom, BSc; Jaime N. Wong, BA; Edward McAuley, PhD; Kristian Larsen, PhD; Guy E. Faulkner, PhD; Kerry S. Courneya, PhD; Linda Trinh, PhD